Gangneung, home to female influencers of Joseon
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A view of Ojukheon, the birthplace of Shin Saimdang and her son Yulgok, in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
By Yun Suh-young
GANGNEUNG, Gangwon Province ― Gangneung is home to some of the most respected female figures in Korean history such as Shin Saimdang and Heo Nanseolheon. Shin Saimdang (1504-1551) was a noted artist and mother of the renowned Confucian scholar Yi I, also known as Yulgok (1536-1584), while Heo Nanseolheon (1563-1589) was a prominent poet.
The geographical location of the city is relevant to the birth of such renowned female influencers who were both artists. The city is located on the east coast of the country in Gangwon Province, past the steep mountain path of Daegwallyeong. When visiting Gangneung, it is easy to understand why it would be a perfect location for artists or writers to focus on their work due to its serene and cozy environment tucked in between the East Sea and the Taebaek Mountains.
A view of the interior of Ojukheon / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
These two female figures are respected throughout history not only for their eminent works, but also because of their active participation in their respective fields despite social constraints. The Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) was a period when women were restricted from many social activities due to the conservative Confucian culture at the time.
Shin Saimdang was already famous for her artistic talents, but became more famous after her death as the mother of Yulgok, who was highly respected by Confucian scholars in the 17th and 18th centuries. Shin Saimdang is so respected in Korean history that she was selected as the figure to be imprinted on the 50,000 won bill.
A statue of Shin Saimdang near Gyeongpodae in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
Heo Nanseolheon, on the other hand, was not well known during her time due to social restrictions imposed on her as a woman and as a wife, despite her talents shown since childhood and support of her brothers. Particularly after marriage, she was stressed by her conservative in-laws and died at an early age. She became posthumously famous thanks to her little brother Heo Gyun, a renowned writer and author of “Hongildong-jeon,” who published her poetry in a book after her death. Her book found fame overseas after envoys and traders visiting Korea brought the book back to China and Japan, being published in both countries in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Family background played a big role in the development of the two female influencers. Shin Saimdang was influenced by the artistic side of her mother's family and stayed with her mother even after she got married. This was possible because at the beginning of the Joseon Kingdom, it still had the liberal atmosphere of the Goryeo Dynasty in which women had relatively more power and freedom. Shin Saimdang was the second of five daughters, a position in the family granting her a little more power.
A view of the house of Heo Nanseolheon in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. / Korea Times photo by Yun Suh-young
As for Heo Nanseolheon, she grew up in a literary family which pursued liberal education. Her father, also a renowned scholar and writer, had equally educated all of her siblings, including her, his only daughter.
Because Gangneung is home to these two well-respected female artists, it is worthwhile to visit their birthplaces which are, coincidentally, in vicinity of each other. They are both within 5-10 minutes from Gyeongpo Lake. Near it and next to the beach are several recently opened high-end hotels such as Seamarq and Lakai Sandpine.
A statue of Heo Nanseolheon next to her home in Gangneung, Gangwon Province / Korea Times photo by Yun Suh-young
Promising travel destination
Gangneung, which is already popular among domestic tourists during peak vacation season for its beaches and mountains, is likely to attract more tourists in the long run.
The city has attracted 15.7 percent more tourists than last year to Ojukheon, Shin Saimdang's birthplace, as of July this year. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization announced earlier this year they would foster five cultural aspects of their respective regions across the country. Gangneung was selected as one of them and the story of Shin Saimdang and Heo Nanseolheon will be actively promoted as the main attraction of Gangneung.
Additionally, with the airing of the upcoming TV drama "Saimdang, Diary of Light" in October, the city is expected to rise as the next go-to destination for Asian tourists.
The entrance to the Heo Nanseolheon and Heo Gyun Memorial Museum in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. Heo Gyun is Heo Nanseolheon’s brother who wrote the famous fairy tale, “Hong Gildong-jeon.” / Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
The drama, featuring actress Lee Young-ae as Saimdang, is a modern-day interpretation of Saimdang, her artwork and love life. Lee doubles as Shin Saimdang and the modern-day Korean art history instructor Seo Ji-yoon who stumbles upon the diary of Saimdang. She stars alongside actor Song Seung-heon who will play the role of artist Lee Gyeom. Lee resumes her acting career after an 11-year absence following her last appearance in the 2005 crime thriller "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" directed by Park Chan-wook. She rose to fame with her appearance in the drama "Jewel in the Palace" (2003).
"Saimdang, Diary of Light" is already drawing enthusiastic responses from the overseas market, being pre-sold to 11 countries including China, even before airing. The drama will be simultaneously broadcast in China and Japan and is expected to garner a large number of fans.
The tourism programs the city of Gangneung is preparing include touring the filming site of "Saimdang, Diary of Light," a puppet performance of Heo Nanseolheon, embroidery, natural dyeing experience, Korean literature tour and brass rubbing experience.